Friday, January 30, 2015

This is my recipe adapted from one I obtained from my sister. It's been years, but I think I added more shortening. I never vary from Butter Flavor Crisco! These almost melt in your mouth! Make a batch for Valentine's Day!Carol's Sugar Cookies

1 C Butter Flavored Crisco

1 C Granulated Sugar

2 Eggs

1/2 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp Baking powder

1/2 tsp Salt

3 C Flour

Cream together shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Blend in one cup of the flour. Add baking powder and salt and blend well. Add remaining flour - reserving about 1/4 cup for rolling dough. Mix well.Dough will be soft. Do not refrigerate. Use remaining flour to keep dough from sticking while rolling out. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out cookies and bake in 400 degree oven for seven minutes. Do not allow edges to brown. Baking times may need to be adjusted.Allow cookies to cool and decorate with your favorite frosting recipe. (Mine is in my head! I just add ingredients until it looks and tastes right, but here are some things to help you...)My Favorite Frosting Recipe1/4 - 1/2 C butter, softened1 tsp VanillaPowdered SugarMilk (about 1/4 cup)Dash of saltCream butter and add vanilla. I then begin adding powdered sugar and milk alternately until I have a fluffy white frosting. When I am happy with the consistency, I add a dash of salt. A seasoned southern belle once told me, "The salt makes the sweet sweeter."Add food coloring and sprinkles - or not. It's really about what makes you happy!

Let them melt in your mouth!

Find more of my favorite recipes HERE.Question: Do you have a holiday recipe to share? Comment below.Happy Running!

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Guest Blogger Thursday is a little different this week. I've been hanging with the Grandkids this week and they've been sharing some of their wise words with me. I'm sharing a few of them with you.

Three year-olds know how to use words like actually and accidentally as in, "I accidentally dropped my banana on the floor, actually."

Six year-olds can sound out words like "dripping" and "brilliant," but when the waitress asks their age they have to use sign language and two hands.

The Rainbow Bridge in Niagara is a bridge to everywhere because we are always going over "the Rainbow Bridge!"

"Pink is my favorite color, actually."

It's okay to save a loose tooth for Grandma to pull.

While baking sugar cookies (the recipe will be up on tomorrow's blog), "Make more princess dresses. Princess dresses are my favorite, actually."

The favorite thing at Niagara Falls was "throwing ice into the river" and "the walking." The latter from the one that rode in the stroller most of the day.

"On Top of Spaghetti" is our favorite new bedtime song and we know most of the words, actually.

"Grandma, did you bring your 'puter? Can we play a game on your 'puter? It's been a minute, Grandma."

"I'm Anna and she's Elsa, actually."

"Please." Thank you." "I love you, too."

I should have been making a list, actually, because I can't remember all of the fun things they taught me, but I do know this ... being a Grandma is the best job in the world! Question: What is your favorite role? Grandparent? Coach? Spouse? Friend?If you would like to be a Guest Blogger, leave a comment or email me at cmgwrites@msn.com and we will discuss the details.Visit my Guest Blogger page to meet more of my blogging friends!Happy Running!

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

That's a lot of water! We could use some of it in the Treasure Valley.

If you read this blog very often then you know that I write about perspective on a regular basis. If you've followed this week then you know that I visited Niagara Falls recently. It was breathtaking, both for its beauty and the biting wind!

Ice everywhere.

The riverbed below the falls was full of ice and the mist coated everything in a smooth layer of ice. It looks like snow, but it is solid! The sign below was found in the visitor's center.

Easy directions to follow as this one won't open.

And the ice conditions were truly a problem for doors. This is a view of the ice filling the pathway outside the entrance. It's about four feet high - a buildup of ice from the mist of the falls. Pretty cool, even if it does present "an inconvenience."

﻿

It's all ice!

So ... take a minute and think about the things in your life that are inconvenient. Perhaps they are just pieces to a bigger, more beautiful picture.

Question: What adverse conditions have you experienced that have caused you to grow?

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

There is much information available about hydration and exercise. Some of it is helpful and some is very confusing. What we do know is that you need to drink ENOUGH water. There isn't a One-Size-Fits-All measurement. I know that if I am hydrated I can do a six-mile run without stopping for water. However, if I don't re-hydrate post-run, I will have more cramping and muscle soreness later.

Thirst is a good indicator, but it may take some time to learn how much water YOU need and when it is most beneficial for you. In the meantime, visit this article at Runners World to learn more about the Myths and Truths of hydration.

Monday, January 26, 2015

I wanted to share some of the beautiful wonders of this earth. The Lord has truly blessed us. We had an opportunity to visit Niagara Falls for the first time. It was winter. It was COLD! It was such a beautiful sight, even amidst the freezing mist. Ice was everywhere. Here is a view from the Canada side.

All that white stuff in the foreground looks like snow, but it is ice. The second view explains itself. ﻿

I am reminded of a hymn ... "For the beauty of the earth, For the beauty of the skies," Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1835-1917

I am grateful for the varied landscapes and climates, even the sagebrush desert where I live, that beautifies this place we've been given to live out our mortal existence.

Mountains, beaches and deserts make this an interesting and wonderful world!

Question: What are some of your favorite places? Please feel free to sound off in the comments below.Happy Running!Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

Friday, January 23, 2015

This protein packed smoothie makes a quick breakfast or after workout snack. It's fast and flavorful and it seems almost like treating yourself to a milkshake. Who doesn't love that?Chocolate Berry Breakfast Smoothie4-5 ice cubes1/2 cup frozen berries of your choice1 cup fat free milkOne scoop chocolate protein powder (I like Body Fortress Whey Protein)Place ice cubes, berries and milk in a blender. Let stand for a couple minutes to allow the milk to get nice and cold. Use ice crusher setting to break up ice cubes. Add protein powder and blend until combined. Enjoy!Variations: Substitute one half frozen banana for berries or use vanilla protein powder in place of chocolate.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Meet Paulee, a wife, mother, farm girl, artist, and favorite team member of mine! Paulee has an eye for style and enjoys helping others work with the things they already have to make their homes a reflection of themselves. She shares tips on Facebook as Perspective by Paulee.

Why do I like to decorate? Is it to Wow? No, it is to create a beautiful space and to share moments with those I love, my family, and friends. It is to create a place where traditions are shared, and to bring people together in a comfortable setting. It is a place where I can feel relaxed and safe. Decorating is a constant forward motion; it invigorates me and rejuvenates my spirit. It lets me exercise my creative side and it brings me peace, happiness and joy. I think this quote says it all.

"Decoration is really all about creating a quality of life, and a beauty within that life that nourishes the soul, that makes life beautiful. That’s what all this is about, not just what’s in and what’s out."

-Albert Hadley

Decorate with what is beautiful and with what nourishes your soul. That is good advice. I would also like to add decorate with what inspires you. Decide if you want your room to look collected or decorated. Collected is a style of decorating which embraces one’s eclectic, personal treasures by combining them with other items with divergent styles. It is design without conventional rules. Decorated conforms more to conventional rules and looks just like it says decorated.

January is the perfect time to find a few objects that are beautiful and inspire you. You can snag a few freebees’ if you just look around.People are putting Christmas away and making room for all the new stuff they got from Santa Claus. The foggy overcast days make us pine for spring and so we clean up and clean out. Just the other day I had a friend call that was remodeling his shop and office. He is in the upholstery business and was getting rid of pictures that he had acquired over the years in some of his restaurant remodels. I found some pictures I loved. If I find something I love, I usually get it. If I don’t, I always get home and wish that I had. I took home seven pictures. I didn’t know what I was going to do with them; I just knew I wanted them, and that liked them. It just so happened that three of them looked great in my Living room, and the fourth one found a home on the wall in my husband’s office.
I have discovered that if I find something I love, there will always be a place for it in the end. So stick to the things you love. Pictures are a great way to change up a room without making a big commitment. Decorating in a collected way makes it easy to incorporate your finds.

Everything that matters requires risk. So take some risk this month and have some fun decorating your home!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Okay, I can't stand it. My book is live on Amazon and my order won't be here until the end of the month. I am curious to know what readers think, so ... I am going to share another excerpt. This time you get the entire story and lesson learned. Please feel free to comment here or on Facebook. Feedback is invaluable to us writers.From The Hard Run: Painful Lessons from a Running Granny

It Hurts When I do This

I am going to venture away from running just a bit. I
promise I will get back there before long.

Several years ago (about thirty) I was sitting in a
church meeting next to my twelve year-old niece when she nudged me, “Hey Aunt
Carol, it hurts when I do this.” I watched as she rolled her ankle so that her
foot was at a right angle to her shin. That had to hurt! Of course, my reaction
was, “Then stop doing that!”

The activity was obviously weakening her ankle. If
she continued to perform the same action, not only would it continue to hurt,
but there was a possibility of long term damage and further injury to her
ankle.

This is another lesson about my running feet. Who
would have known that one could learn so many lessons from her feet? It is an
unfortunate fact that runners do not have very attractive feet. It is not a
requirement to have ugly feet in order to run it just comes with the territory.
Runners get blisters and they lose toenails. Foot funguses occur from running
in sweaty shoes and barefoot runners have thick discolored callouses on the
bottoms of their feet that protect them from injury. I don’t intend to ever
become a barefoot runner. Nail Polish wears off from rubbing in running shoes
and socks and it can be difficult to find time for a pedicure that will dry
before the next run. My big toes develop callouses on the outer sides that rub
against my shoes. These callouses protect me from blisters – to a point.

On the occasion that I actually run or hike too far,
or if I have worn a pair of socks that doesn’t fit or is made of fabric that
rubs, my protective callouses can and have developed large blisters beneath the
callouses. This is unfortunate because not only will the blisters eventually
pop, but I will also lose the protective layer of skin that used to be holding
blisters at bay. Then, I will have to be patient as the wound heals and new
callouses eventually form.

What did I
learn from It Hurts When I Do This?

It is possible to be aware that an activity or habit
is hurting and weakening oneself and yet we are often compelled to continue
with the destructive behavior.

Let’s talk about binging. There are many things that
one might binge upon, such as food, alcohol, harmful drugs, gummy candies (I
don’t think these can be categorized as food), shopping/spending, and the like.
Perhaps it would be better to call these things addictions, but for this
discussion we will focus on binging behavior.

I have an affinity for candy corn. That’s right, the
sugary pieces of yellow, orange, and white candies molded to look like a single
kernel of corn. In case anyone wonders, I am a country girl. I freeze corn most
years and those candies look nothing like a kernel of corn, especially the red,
pink, and white ones available during February. I digress. The point is that I
love those candies too much. I can purchase a bag in the grocery store, open it
in the car, and devour half the bag on the drive home. In my defense, it is a
long ride. I bite the candies apart at the color changes and eat them in three
pieces, but I can do it really fast! The speed with which I devour this
confection exacerbates my problem. I get way ahead of the sugar high and then
pay for it when that good feeling wears off. If I happen to be going for a run
on the following day, I feel sluggish and tired. It’s probably from the candy
corn binge. This might seem harmless. It’s only a problem in October and
February, right?

What of those other things that we continue to do
that harm us or our loved ones? Where is the danger in a little self-indulgence
of drug abuse or activity that harms relationships? If ever we are tempted to
claim, “I’m not hurting anyone but myself,” we might need to take a closer
look. When we hurt ourselves, we hurt those who love us.

Even good things, when done in excess, can become
damaging. For example, the provider who spends all of his time at work and
neglects his family may not realize the effect his absence has until it is too
late. A dieter can rob herself of nutrients and cause long term damage to the
body she is attempting to sculpt. Even the writer, or the runner, or the
hunter, or the fisherman must find balance while pursuing passions lest she
neglect those things most important - her family, her health, her God.

How often do we engage in repeated activities that
hurt and weaken us? When we know that we are damaging ourselves yet choose to
stay on the same downward path it can only lead to unhappiness. Perhaps there
is something you are doing now that is causing hurt to yourself or another.
Take time to identify the offense and evaluate the damage it may be inflicting,
then determine how you will make a change.

So ... What did you think? Please leave feedback in the comments below or on my Facebook page.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

This one might not sound like much of a tip. In fact, I was skeptical. When other runners mentioned that they couldn't get along without chewing gum on the run, I thought they were crazy. I was convinced that having a piece of gum in my mouth would present a choking hazard while I was gasping for breath! I don't remember why I decided to give it a try, but I'm glad I did.Here are the benefits I discovered about chewing gum.

Monday, January 19, 2015

I have a confession. It won't be news to some of you. I am not much of a crafter - unless it is in the kitchen or at the computer - and the computer is questionable! (Still learning to put words on photos. So far, they look rather elementary.) Anyhow, I am visiting my grandchildren soon and I wanted something fun and unique to give them. So ... I made this!

Purple Glove Monster﻿

It's my first attempt and he needs a little tidying up, but I kind of like him. I found the idea on Pinterest. You can do a "glove monster" search and find all kinds of ideas. I think he cost about $.50. The gloves were $.97 and the rest of the stuff was just hanging around in my many neglected crafting collections! I'm going to make him some friends while I have the crafting bug! (It doesn't usually last very long!)Happy Running!Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Friday, January 16, 2015

I posted a picture of these tacos on Instagram recently and had quite a reaction. I am sharing the recipe today as promised. The beauty of this recipe is you can make as many or as few as you like.Fish TacosFrozen Tilapia fillets (One fillet per two tacos)Shredded cabbageSliced red onionGrated cheddar cheeseChopped tomatoesSour cream2-3 LimesChili powderCorn tortillasSalsaAvocado slicesThaw Tilapia fillets. Add the zest of one lime to 1/3 cup sour cream. (Use larger portions if needed) Combine shredded cabbage and a few slices of red onion. Squeeze one lime and stir into cabbage mixture. Set sour cream and cabbage mixtures aside.Heat electric skillet or frying pan to 350 degrees. Spray with cooking spray and place tilapia fillets in pan. Season with lime juice and chili powder while cooking. Cook for about three minutes and flip. Season and continue cooking until fish begins to flake - about 2 -3 minutes more. Remove from skillet.Spray corn tortillas with cooking spray and heat through turning once.Assemble tacos using one half of a fillet for each taco. I prefer this order - tortilla, fillet, cheese, cabbage, tomato, sour cream, avocado, and then salsa if there is still room!

I’m
Raquel Roetto L.M.T. (Licensed Massage Therapist). I have been practicing
therapeutic massage since 1997 after graduating from the Myotherapy College of
Utah in Salt Lake City, UT. I have an office in my Nampa, ID home and also
provide seated chair massage in local businesses (some of which I’ve been in
for nearly 15 years). My favorite reason to do massage is to make someone feel
better and I do that through therapeutic massage as well as relaxing massage,
depending on what you need.My
specialties include Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Reflexology and Pre
and Postnatal Massage.

Beyond R
& R

About 20
years ago as I was trying to decide what to be when I grew up, I was working as
a teller at a bank. I got to know some of my customers pretty well as they came
in on a regular basis. There was this guy who came in every week or so with a
stack of checks to deposit. One day I happened to notice “massage therapy”
written on the memo line of one of the checks. That piqued my curiosity because
I had been raised in a family that utilized massage. My Grandma Roetto was a
massage therapist/reflexologist. My parents would go to her for a “treatment”
whenever they had back or muscle pain. I remember as a youth Grandma rubbing my
feet and particularly my big toes to relieve headaches, which I had often. I
don’t ever remember using the term massage and didn’t realize that it was such
a common practice.My grandma had
apprenticed and learned hands-on techniques to help people feel better. She had
many faithful clients who came to her regularly, even in her later years. Well
you can imagine how excited I was to learn you could go to school to become a
massage therapist.I was enrolled within
a few weeks and that began what has been a rewarding career.

In my years
as a massage therapist I’ve focused my efforts beyond the standard “R and R.” Although massage is a great way to rest and
relax, there are far better R’s to consider.

Recovery: massage allows the body to recover
more quickly from vigorous exercise and competitive sports, by increasing
circulation and relaxing muscles. Massage is also a necessity while recovering
from sports related injuries and heavy training schedules.

Relief: massage offers relief from many
ailments including stress, muscle tension, pain, fibromyalgia, sports injuries,
sciatica, TMJ, insomnia and many others. Massage is also a great way to treat
emotional issues such as depression, anger, anxiety and grief by increasing the
“feel good” hormones.

Reduce: massage reduces the intensity of
delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after activity. It reduces inflammation
and keeps joints limber. Massage reduces healing time and will have you back at
play sooner. Massage reduces viral and bacterial illnesses by enhancing immune
function.

Restore: massage, in a nutshell, is a great
way to restore health and well-being both physically and/or emotionally. There
are not many treatment plans available that are as beneficial as massage
therapy. Many positive changes will be felt with regular 15 minute massages.

The Mayo
Clinic’s web page on massage states:

“Brush aside any
thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. To
the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your
health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are just
looking for another stress reliever.”

I might add
that massage therapy is beneficial for people of all ages from pre-term infants
to elderly persons.While there are some
contraindications to massage, most therapy sessions can be customized for
anyone.

So, find
yourself a therapist that is educated and trained properly and carries the
credentials your state requires. Someone that has experience and can provide
you with the treatment plan you need. You’ll want someone you are comfortable
with and that you can communicate with. Not every massage therapist is created
equal and you deserve the best. Go out and get yourself some R & R & R
& R and . . .

Raquel

If you are
interested in more information or in getting a massage you may contact Raquel at
208.841.4831 or raquelroetto@aol.com.

Mention this blog post for a $10
discount on your first full-body massage.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

I love this and had to share it with you. My Spudman Teammate, Paulee, gave me one of these cool silicone lids. It's not only functional, it's cute! It's great for those times when you want to cover a bowl full of food quickly. It works better and faster than plastic wrap. You'll be the envy of the potluck party or picnic when you show up with one of these covering your salad.You can find them at Bed Bath & Beyond, The Kitchen Outlet, or on Amazon.Check out more of my favorite Gadgets!Happy Running!

Today would have been my father's 97th birthday. He's been gone a few years, but I try to commemorate it with one of his favorite recipes. I'm not sure I will get it done today, but I am sharing this post with you anyway.I built it. Now where is everybody? (Burnt Sugar Cake!)Happy Birthday, Dad!Visit my Recipes page for more of my favorites!Happy Running!Follow me on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

If you've been following all my Tuesday's Training Tips then you know it's time to commit to a race, but do you know how to prepare for one? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is NOT to try to run farther and faster every day.Your best bet is to get a training plan that is customized for you. I like the Smart Coach app at Runner's World. Smart Coach allows you to plug in a recent distance and time. (You can simply time yourself for one mile, two miles, or more.) You also indicate the date of your race, its distance, and when you want to begin training. Smart Coach spits out a plan with target times to help you work your way through to race day - and its FREE!More training plans - Couch to 5KMayo Clinic 5K run: 7 week training schedule for beginnersHal Higdon 5K Training: NoviceWhether you are a beginner, intermediate, or well-seasoned runner, there are plans out there that can help you take your running to the next level.

Visit this page every Tuesday for more training tips! I would love to hear from you. Comment below or message me on Facebook.

Monday, January 12, 2015

The worst part of any race is the beginning and the
middle. The beginning is hard because one is nervous. “Did I get enough sleep?
Do I have enough fuel? What if I need a restroom? Can I really run this far
today? I’m not warmed up!” The middle is difficult because, well one is running
… and running … and running. “Will it ever end?”It is
nearly impossible to take it easy during a race. Why would you? It’s a race!
Well, it’s not really a race, and yet it is. Racing tends to push one to her
limit and that is always uncomfortable. During a race lungs burn, legs ache and
sometimes cramp, blisters form, and clothing rubs rashes in terrible places.
Faster runners pass by and that is discouraging.

The
best part about a race is the end! Actually, it is a few minutes after the end
when the runner has caught her breath, cooled down, drained a bottle of
chocolate milk, and in my case, removed her shoes and donned flip flops. Oh,
the relief of removing the shoes that have cradled my feet during a race,
protected them from the ground beneath, rubbed terrible blisters, and jammed
toe nails that will eventually fall off.

Whether
I am training for a race or just getting in a good workout, I always feel
better when the run is over. The knowledge that I have completed a challenge is
good for my self-esteem. The luxury of strolling home as I cool down after a demanding
workout is also a physical pleasure.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Readers asked for something healthy, easy, crock pot friendly, and warm. Naturally, I thought of this recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup. It can be ready in minutes on the stove top or warm for hours in the crock pot. It has lots of fiber, vegetables, lean meat, a pop of flavor and it's colorful!Chicken Tortilla Soup1-2 quarts of stewed tomatoes (I use my own bottled tomatoes) 1/2 cup diced onion1 can each of black beans, white northern beans, and red kidney beans1 - 1 1/2 cups corn (I prefer frozen to canned)1 - 2 cans of chicken breast (I use my own canned chicken. More on this in another post!)Taco seasoning to tasteBring stewed tomatoes and onion to boil. Drain beans. Add beans, corn, chicken breast and its broth, and taco seasoning. Return to boil. It's that easy! If you are using a crock pot simply dump all the ingredients in the crock and let it simmer.Garnish with your choice of the following:Avocado slicesGrated cheeseSour creamSalsaTortilla chips or tortilla strips(Too many of these can make it not-so-healthy!)

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Thursday, January 8, 2015

I have previously shared my compulsive behavior. It's not a secret. I am a hoarder! I wouldn't say I have a problem that is particularly unhealthy (what hoarder would?) I just need to find a better way to tackle all the stuff that finds it's way into my home. This is what I am doing ...

Did I mention I get sidetracked easily? Or that I have trouble staying on task when the task is boring? Well, it's true! So ... I am setting myself a de-junking timer every day to allow 15 minutes of devoted attention to de-junking. It's working! My desk hasn't been this clean in years and I am moving into other areas of the house.

It's only one little change, but it's working for me! Here's proof!

﻿

What tricks do you have to help you stay organized throughout the year? I would love to hear about them!

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